2017 FORD F450 SUPER DUTY brake light

TOWING A TRAILER
WARNINGS
Towing trailers beyond themaximum recommendedgross trailer weight exceeds thelimit of your vehicle and couldresult in engine damage,transmission damage, structuraldamage, loss of vehicle control,vehicle rollover and personalinjury.
Do not exceed the GVWR orthe GAWR specified on thecertification label.
Note: See RecommendedTowing Weights (page 277).
Your vehicle may have electricalitems, such as fuses or relays,related to towing. See Fuses(page 312).
Your vehicle's load capacitydesignation is by weight, not byvolume, so you cannot necessarilyuse all available space whenloading a vehicle or trailer.
Towing a trailer places an extraload on your vehicle's engine,transmission, axle, brakes, tiresand suspension. Inspect thesecomponents periodically during,and after, any towing operation.
Load Placement
To help minimize how trailermovement affects your vehiclewhen driving:
•Load the heaviest items closestto the trailer floor.
•Load the heaviest itemscentered between the left andright side trailer tires.
•Load the heaviest items abovethe trailer axles or just slightlyforward toward the trailertongue. Do not allow the finaltrailer tongue weight to goabove or below 10-15% of theloaded trailer weight.
•Select a ball mount with thecorrect rise or drop and loadcapacity. When both theloaded vehicle and trailer areconnected, the trailer frameshould be level, or slightlyangled down toward yourvehicle, when viewed from theside.
When driving with a trailer orpayload, a slight takeoff vibrationor shudder may be present due tothe increased payload weight.Additional information regardingproper trailer loading and settingyour vehicle up for towing islocated in another chapter of thismanual. See Load Limit (page261).
You can also find information inthe RV & Trailer Towing Guideavailable at your authorizeddealer, or online.
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slowly turning the wheel until the traileris following your desired path and thenholding the wheel in that position. Ifyou would like to recalibrate thesystem for straight backing, you can doso with the following procedure.
•Go into the trailer menu, selecttrailer options, select change trailersetting and then select the changesticker option. Your savedmeasurements will be displayed.Do not change them but continueto confirm measurements. Onceyou confirm the measurements, thesystem will then prompt you toperform the calibration procedure.
Note:The system is designed to be usedwith the same trailer connection every timethe trailer is chosen from the selectionmenu. Using a different drawbar or adifferent pin hole (on drawbars with morethan one) when connecting the drawbar toyour vehicle will affect the trailermeasurements. Take the measurementsagain and update if required.
TRAILER SWAY CONTROL (If
Equipped)
WARNING
Turning off trailer sway controlincreases the risk of loss of vehiclecontrol, serious injury or death. Forddoes not recommend disabling this featureexcept in situations where speed reductionmay be detrimental (such as hill climbing),the driver has significant trailer towingexperience, and can control trailer swayand maintain safe operation.
Note:This feature does not prevent trailersway, but reduces it once it begins.
Note:This feature cannot stop all trailersfrom swaying.
Note:In some cases, if vehicle speed is toohigh, the system may activate multipletimes, gradually reducing vehicle speed.
This feature applies your vehicle brakes atindividual wheels and, if necessary, reducesengine power. If the trailer begins to sway,the stability control light flashes and themessage TRAILER SWAY REDUCESPEED appears in the information display.The first thing to do is slow your vehicledown, then pull safely to the side of theroad and check for proper tongue load andtrailer load distribution. See LoadCarrying (page 261).
RECOMMENDED TOWING
WEIGHTS
WARNING
You must use the heavy-dutydrawbar pin supplied with
your vehicle when using theheavy-duty hitch. Failure to followthis instruction could result in theloss of control of your vehicle,personal injury or death.
Note:Vehicles with a heavy-dutyhitch must use the drawbar pinstamped 21,000 LBS. You canobtain a replacement drawbar pinat your Ford dealer.
Note:Make sure to take intoconsideration trailer frontal area.Do not exceed 60 feet2 (5.6
meters2) trailer frontal area for
conventional trailers. Do notexceed 75 feet2 (6.9 meters2) trailer
frontal area for 5th wheel andgooseneck trailers.
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When attaching the trailer wiring connectorto your vehicle, only use a proper fittingconnector that works with the vehicle andtrailer functions. Some seven-positionconnectors may have the SAE J2863 logo,which confirms that it is the proper wiringconnector and works correctly with yourvehicle.
FunctionColor
Left turn signal and stop lampYellow
Ground (-)White
Electric brakesBlue
Right turn signal and stoplampGreen
Battery (+)Orange
Running lightsBrown
Reverse lightsGrey
Dynamic Hitching Using the RearView Camera System
Note:Active guidelines and fixed guidelinesare only available when the transmission isin reverse (R).
Use the centerline (B) guideline to assistyou in setting your steering wheel properlyto help align the trailer hitch and tongue.
Active guidelinesA
CenterlineB
Fixed guideline: Green zoneC
Fixed guideline: Yellow zoneD
Fixed guideline: Red zoneE
Rear bumperF
Fixed guidelines are always shown in thedisplay, but the active guidelines onlydisplay when the steering wheel is turned.To use active guidelines, turn the steeringwheel to point the guidelines toward anintended path. If the steering wheelposition is changed while reversing, yourvehicle might deviate from the originalintended path.
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TowingABCD
F
E
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Once the trailer is level or slightly nosedown toward the vehicle:
•Lock the bar tension adjuster in place.
•Check that the trailer tongue securelyattaches and locks onto the hitch.
•Install safety chains, lighting, and trailerbrake controls as required by law or thetrailer manufacturer.
Fifth-wheel Trailer Hitch (If Equipped)
Note:The mounting pads in the bed arespecifically designed for certain fifth-wheeltrailer hitches and gooseneck ball hitches.Do not use these mounting pads for otherpurposes.
Note:Contact an authorized dealer topurchase gooseneck and fifth-wheel hitchesthat are compatible with your vehicle.
Your vehicle may be equipped with afifth-wheel prep package. This packageenables your vehicle to accept certainfifth-wheel trailer hitches and gooseneckball hitches. The fifth-wheel trailer hitchattaches to the four mounting pads in thepick-up bed. An optional 7-pin trailer wiringconnector may be in the bed as well. Thegooseneck ball hitch is a separatemounting pad from the fifth-wheel hitch,located in the center of the bed.
Shorter pick-up boxes, such as the 6½-footbox on the F-250 and F-350, provide lessclearance between the cab and thefifth-wheel and gooseneck trailercompared to longer box pick-ups, such asan 8-foot box on the F-250 or F-350. Whenselecting a trailer and tow vehicle, it iscritical to check that this combinationprovides clearance between the front ofthe trailer and tow vehicle for turns up to90 degrees. Failure to follow this
recommendation could result in the trailercontacting the cab of the tow vehicleduring tight turns that are typical duringlow-speed parking and turning maneuvers.This contact could result in damage to thetrailer and tow vehicle.
Safety Chains
Note:Do not attach safety chains to thebumper.
Always connect the safety chains to theframe or hook retainers of your vehiclehitch.
To connect the safety chains, cross thechains under the trailer tongue and allowenough slack for turning tight corners. Donot allow the chains to drag on the ground.
Trailer Brakes
WARNING
Do not connect a trailer's hydraulicbrake system directly to yourvehicle's brake system. Your vehiclemay not have enough braking power andyour chances of having a collision greatlyincrease.
Electric brakes and manual, automatic orsurge-type trailer brakes are safe if youinstall them properly and adjust them tothe manufacturer's specifications. Thetrailer brakes must meet local and federalregulations.
The rating for the tow vehicle's brakingsystem operation is at the gross vehicleweight rating, not the gross combinedweight rating.
Separate functioning brake systemsare required for safe control of towedvehicles and trailers weighing morethan 1500 pounds (680 kilograms)when loaded.
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Integrated Trailer Brake Controller
(If Equipped)
WARNINGS
The anti-lock brake system does notcontrol the trailer brakes.
Use the integrated trailer brakecontroller to properly adjust thetrailer brakes and check allconnections before towing a trailer. Failureto follow this instruction could result in theloss of control of your vehicle, personalinjury or death.
Note:The integrated Ford brake controlleris compatible with trailers equipped withelectric-actuated drum brakes andelectric-over hydraulic brake systems.
Note:The integrated Ford brake controllerdoes not control hydraulic surge-stylebrakes.
When used properly, the trailer brakecontroller assists in smooth and effectivetrailer braking by powering the trailer’selectric or electric-over-hydraulic brakeswith a proportional output based on thetowing vehicle’s brake pressure.
You can adjust the amount of initial trailerbrake output by selecting one of threesettings through the message center.
Ford has tested the trailer brake controllerto be compatible with several majorbrands of electric-over-hydraulic trailerbrakes. Contact an authorized dealer forinformation on which brands you can use.
The controller user interface consists ofthe following:
A: + and - (Gain adjustment buttons):Pressing these buttons adjusts thecontroller's power output to the trailerbrakes in 0.5 increments. You can increasethe gain setting to 10.0 (maximum trailerbraking) or decrease it to 0 (no trailerbraking). Pressing and holding a buttonraises or lowers the setting continuously.The gain setting displays in the messagecenter as follows: TBC GAIN = XX.X.
B: Manual control lever: Slide the controllever to the left to switch on the trailer'selectric brakes independent of the towvehicle's. See the following Procedure foradjusting gain section for instructions onproper use of this feature. If you use themanual control while the brake is alsoapplied, the greater of the two inputsdetermines the power sent to the trailerbrakes.
•Stop lamps: Using the manual controllever lights both the trailer brake lampsand your vehicle brake lamps.
Trailer brake control messages appear inthe information display as follows:
•TBC GAIN = XX.X NO TRAILER:Shows the current gain setting.
•TBC GAIN = XX.X OUTPUT=/ / / // /: Displays when braking. The barsindicate the amount of power going tothe trailer brakes.
•TRAILER CONNECTED: Displayswhen the system senses a correcttrailer wiring connection.
•TRAILER DISCONNECTED: Displayswhen the system senses a trailerdisconnection.
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TowingE183395

If this message displays, with no trailerconnected, the problem is with your vehiclewiring or trailer brake controller. Contactan authorized dealer.
If the message only displays with a trailerconnected, the problem is with the trailerwiring. Consult your trailer dealer forassistance. This can be a short to ground(such as a chaffed wire), short to voltage(such as a pulled pin on trailer emergencybreakaway battery) or the trailer brakesmay be drawing too much current.
Points to Remember
Note:Do not attempt removal of the trailerbrake controller without consulting theWorkshop Manual. Damage to the unit mayresult.
•Adjust gain setting before using thetrailer brake controller.
•Adjust gain setting, using the procedureabove, whenever road, weather, traileror vehicle loading conditions changefrom when the gain was initially set.
•Only use the manual control lever forproper adjustment of the gain duringtrailer setup. Misuse, such asapplication during trailer sway, couldcause instability of trailer or towvehicle.
•Avoid towing in adverse weatherconditions. The trailer brake controllerdoes not provide anti-lock control ofthe trailer wheels. Trailer wheels canlock up on slippery surfaces, resultingin reduced stability of trailer and towvehicle.
•The trailer brake controller is equippedwith a feature that reduces output atvehicle speeds below 11 mph (18 km/h)so trailer and vehicle braking is not jerkyor harsh. This feature is only activewhen applying the brakes using yourvehicle's brake pedal, not thecontroller.
•The controller interacts with the brakecontrol system and powertrain controlsystem of your vehicle to provide thebest performance on different roadconditions.
•Your vehicle's brake system and thetrailer brake system workindependently of each other. Changingthe gain setting on the controller doesnot affect the operation of yourvehicle's brakes.
•When you switch the engine off, thecontroller output is disabled and thedisplay and module shut down.
Trailer Lamps
WARNING
Never connect any trailer lamp wiringto the vehicle's tail lamp wiring; thismay damage the electrical systemresulting in fire. Contact your authorizeddealer as soon as possible for assistancein proper trailer tow wiring installation.Additional electrical equipment may berequired.
Trailer lamps are required on most towedvehicles. Make sure all running lights, brakelights, turn signals and hazard lights areworking.
Before Towing a Trailer
Practice turning, stopping and backing upto get the feel of your vehicle-trailercombination before starting on a trip.When turning, make wider turns so thetrailer wheels clear curbs and otherobstacles.
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Note:You can check four-wheel-downtowing status at any time by opening thedriver's door or turning the ignition to theaccessory or on position and verifying amessage displays in the cluster.
To exit four-wheel-down towing and returnthe transfer case to its 2H position:
1.With your vehicle still properly securedto the tow vehicle, put the ignition inthe on position, but do not start theengine. If your vehicle has an ignitionkey, switch the key to on. If your vehiclehas intelligent access, press the engineSTART/STOP button once withoutpressing the brake pedal.
2. Press and hold the brake pedal.
3. Shift the transmission out of neutral(N) and into any other gear.
4. Release the brake pedal.
Note:If completed successfully, the 2Hindicator light illuminates and aconfirmation message displays in theinstrument cluster.
Note:If the indicator light and message donot display, you must perform the procedureagain from the beginning.
Note:You may hear an audible noise as thetransfer case shifts out of its neutralposition. This is normal.
Note:If a message displays in theinstrument cluster stating there is a shiftdelay, transfer case gear tooth blockagemay be present. See Resolving the ShiftDelay Issue after this section.
5.Apply the parking brake and disconnectthe vehicle from the tow vehicle.
6. Release the parking brake, start theengine and shift the transmission todrive (D) to make sure the transfercase is out of neutral (N).
7. If the transfer case does notsuccessfully shift out of neutral (N),set the parking brake until you can haveyour vehicle serviced.
Resolving the Shift Delay Issue
If the instrument cluster displays a shiftdelay message, See InformationMessages (page 128). You need toperform the following steps:
1. Press and hold the brake pedal.
2. Put the transmission into neutral (N),and then start the engine.
3. With the engine running, shift thetransmission to drive (D) and let thevehicle roll forward, up to 3 ft (1 m).You may hear an audible noise as thetransfer case shifts out of its neutralposition. This is normal.
4. When the issue is resolved, theinstrument cluster displays a messagestating neutral tow is disabled.
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BREAKING-IN
You need to break in new tires forapproximately 300 mi (480 km). Duringthis time, your vehicle may exhibit someunusual driving characteristics.
Avoid driving too fast during the first1,000 mi (1,600 km). Vary your speedfrequently and change up through thegears early. Do not labor the engine.
Drive your new vehicle at least 1,000 mi(1,600 km) before towing a trailer. Makesure you use the specified engine oil. SeeCapacities and Specifications (page422).
Do not add friction modifier compoundsor special break-in oils during the first fewthousand miles (kilometers) of operation.These additives may prevent piston ringseating.
ECONOMICAL DRIVING
Your fuel economy is affected by severalthings, such as how you drive, theconditions you drive under, and how youmaintain your vehicle.
You may improve your fuel economy bykeeping these things in mind:
•Accelerate and slow down in a smooth,moderate fashion.
•Drive at steady speeds withoutstopping.
•Anticipate stops; slowing down mayeliminate the need to stop.
•Combine errands and minimizestop-and-go driving.
•Close the windows for high-speeddriving.
•Drive at reasonable speeds (travelingat 55 mph [88 km/h] uses 15% lessfuel than traveling at 65 mph [105km/h]).
•Keep the tires properly inflated and useonly the recommended size.
•Use the recommended engine oil.
•Perform all regularly scheduledmaintenance.
Avoid these actions; they reduce your fueleconomy:
•Sudden accelerations or hardaccelerations.
•Revving the engine before turning it off.
•Idle for periods longer than one minute.
•Warm up your vehicle on coldmornings.
•Use the air conditioner or frontdefroster.
•Use the speed control in hilly terrain.
•Rest your foot on the brake pedal whiledriving.
•Drive a heavily loaded vehicle or tow atrailer.
•Carry unnecessary weight(approximately 1 mpg [0.4 km/L] islost for every 400 lb [180 kilogram] ofweight carried).
•Driving with the wheels out ofalignment.
Conditions
•Heavily loading a vehicle or towing atrailer may reduce fuel economy at anyspeed.
•Adding certain accessories to yourvehicle (for example bug deflectors,rollbars, light bars, running boards, skiracks or luggage racks) may reducefuel economy.
•To maximize the fuel economy, drivewith the tonneau cover installed (ifequipped).
•Using fuel blended with alcohol maylower fuel economy.
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Driving Hints